Neil Lax, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Department Chair, Interim Psychology Department Chair

  nlax@thiel.edu
  724-589-2035
  Spence Academic Center - Room 247

Education:
- Ph.D. in Neuroscience (2018) - Duquesne University - Pittsburgh, PA
- B.S. in Biological Sciences and Chemistry (2012) - University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA

Courses Taught:
- Brain and Behavior (NSCI 101)
- Introduction to Neuroscience (NSCI 202)
- Techniques in Neuroscience (NSCI 303)
- Junior Seminar in Neuroscience (NSCI 313)
- Neuropharmacology (NSCI 320)
- Neuroanatomy (NSCI 330)
- Neuroendocrinology (NSCI 340)
- Advanced Neuroscience (NSCI 404)
- Senior Seminar in Neuroscience (NSCI 414)
- Foundations of Biology (BIO 145)
- Neuropathology of Communication Disorders (CSD 500)

Research Interests:
My research involves understanding the mechanisms that underlie chronic pain, depression and anxiety. I use rodent models of behavior to understand the role of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the development of these conditions. Targeted receptors include serotonin, glutamate and dopamine. These receptors are targeted with screened compounds that have been extracted from environmental sources. This helps to identify novel ligands for targeting these receptors and provides insight on how these diseases develop. I also conduct pedagogical research to find new ways of incorporating active learning strategies into the classroom and laboratory.

Publications:

1. Abi-Abdallah DS, Fonner CW, Lax NC, Babeji MR, Pale FA. 2019. Avida ED increases Evolution and Natural Selection Understanding at Rural College. American Biology Teacher.

2. Lax NC, Parker SA, Hilton EJ, Zapadka A, Seliman Y, Kolber BJ, Tidgewell KT. 2018. Cyanobacterial extract with serotonin receptor subtype 7 (5‐HT7R) affinity modulates depression and anxiety‐like behavior in mice. Synapse. DOI:10.1002/syn.22059

3. Lax NC, Chen RX, Leep S, Uhlrich KE, Kolber BJ. 2017. PolyMorphine provides extended analgesic-like effects in mice with spared nerve injury. Molecular Pain. DOI: 10.1177/1744806917743479.

4. Lax NC, Morris J, Kolber BJ. 2016. A partial-flip classroom exercise in a large introductory general biology course increases performance at multiple levels. Journal of Biological Education. DOI: 10.1080/00219266.2016.1257503.

5. Lax NC, Ahmed KT, Ignatz CM, Spadafora C, Kolber BJ, Tidgewell KT. 2016. Marine cyanobacteria-derived serotonin receptor 2C active fraction induces psychoactive behavioral effects in mice. Pharmaceutical Biology. DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2016.1181659.

6. Ahmed KT, Lax NC, Tidgewell KT. 2015. Central Nervous System Modulators from the Oceans. Marine Pharmacognosy: from Beach to Bedside, pp. 247 – 278. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.

7. Lax NC, George DC, Ignatz CM, Kolber BJ. 2014. The mGluR5 antagonist fenobam induces analgesic conditioned place preference in mice with spared nerve injury. PLOS ONE 9(7): e103524.